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Haunted Bench Project

@hauntedbench75.bsky.social

150 followers 67 following 560 posts

🪦 Ghostly & macabre legends of #Harrow & district. #HauntedHarrow #HarrowWeald #HauntedBenches #parkphantoms #cemeteryspectres #gardenshedghosts & c. #pulp #horror & supernatural fiction; stuff like that. Tower Hamlets also features quite a lot. 💀

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Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · Nov 19

Always loved this one. Bride of Dem's illustration of the entrance to the Egyptian Avenue, #HighgateCemetery

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Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 15h

Today is the 73rd anniversary of the Harrow & Wealdstone tragedy which claimed the lives of 112 passengers and railway staff. Would love to see a statue of Abbie Sweetwine, 'the angel of platform six,' either on the High Street or maybe inside the station itself?

Detail from the very beautiful childrens' mural on Station approach. "In memory of the victims of the Wealdstone train crash, October 8th 1952, where 112 people sadly lost their lives and in gratitude to the services and volunteers who helped to save many others."

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 1d

I like Ronald Holmes. He wrote some great stuff, including a Sawney Beane biography and a history of witchcraft. Also edited 'Macabre Military Stories'

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 1d

She is indeed very lovely.

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 2d

Join the bleeding club.

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 2d

Mine was a modern edition of Richard Matheson's 'Hell House' for £2 from Spitalfields Crypt Charity Shop (Watney Market chapter). Happy reading!

Cover of Richard Matheson's 'Hell House' (Gollancz 2022) depicts haunted property (a generic shutterstock job, so nothing to get excited about).

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Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 2d

Is this her greatest hits one? If its the book I'm thinking of, it includes most from her 'Ghosts of Beds/ Bucks/ Herts/ Oxford books?

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 2d

As promised, 3 trademark dreadful photo's from tramp around Harrow on the Hill/ Old Redding/ Harrow Weald & Queensbury on Fri 3rd. Rain did its bit. Mass in prog in St Mary's, so didn't get to check out books. Beloved bench on Weald Lane corner still AWOL presumed RIP.

The village green, Harrow, in rain. Kings Head pub sign depicting Herny VIII still present & correct which, sadly, can't be said of pub, which was lost around turn of the century. I consider stopping on bench for a drink a sacred duty. [see also 'The Case is Altered,' Old Redding].

Another detail from the gorgeous millennium mural on the bridge at Harrow & Wealdstone station, this one depicting soldiers marching off to war in 1914, the clock tower memorial and a poppy field.

The Case is Altered, Old Redding, remains out of commission. I wanted a passable shot of the mural before the weather obliterates it completely, so mission semi-accomplished. As mentioned, it's become a personal ritual to stop on bench outside for drink. [see also the bench in the driveway to Grims Dyke hotel].

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 5d

Congratulations, and very well done, Mr P. and friends!

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 6d

Hoping to spend tomorrow making thorough nuisance of myself at St. Mary's churchyard, Grims Dyke, Harrow Weald, Honeypot Lane - probably nip in Primark while I'm at it. Weather forecast: rain all day = Ideal conditions. #hauntedbenchontour

Churchyard path leading to lychgate in St Mary's cemetery.

Bench on Churchyard Terrace. Hope its not yet been replaced by a horrible metal one.

The Case is Altered; still closed, so bring your own.

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 12d

Me too, but I'm glad he isn't.

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Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 12d

#HatchEnd station pre-WWI. Disembark here for the ghost of Dan the dancer, Percy the peacock, and practitioners of the "detestable art of #witchcraft." Keep off the rails. Beware of the kamikaze pheasant. #MysteriousMiddlesex #HauntedHarrow

Hatch End station (circa 1911) looking moody.

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 12d

Top man! That's been doing my head in for ages. Wealdstone police station appears in 'Cry Wolf'

Wealdstone High Street, as it appears in The Professionals episode, Cry wolf.

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 12d

.... can't be sure, but think entrance to Wealdstone FC's Lower Mead (RIP) also visible.

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 12d

The old one with the ABC sign prominent features briefly in a late episode of the Professionals - been trying to remember which one. It's a driving scene with Doyle talking to someone in a car, either Bodie, Cowley or A. N. Other. Hope someone can identify it so I can get a screen grab.

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Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 14d

Currently enjoying Mary Williams' 'Ghostly Company' from 1980, featuring haunted bus classic, 'No Ticket,' a Cornish Bluebeard variation ('Maddgens') and the atypically grim 'The Birds.' Cover painting surely among ionicus's finest. #bookstoreadonahauntedbench

Another ionicus cover painting for Mary Williams 'Ghostly Carnival.' Shrouded skeletons shake a leg and generally enjoy themselves aboard a carnival float. Continues onto the back flap.

'The Ghostly Carnival' wraparound continued. The floats ahead take the road into town.

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Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 15d

Stop the Truman Brewery Redevelopment. #SaveBrickLane .... from 'regeneration' #creepinggentrification #aint_there_nothing_sacred_anymore?

Stop the Truman Brewery Redevelopment. www.bit.ly/save-BL battle4bricklane@gmail.com

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Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 15d

That is class. Hope to return to Harrow on the Hill/ St Mary's on Fri 3rd Oct, so will see if the Dolls House on the Hill have a Halloween display again. Theirs was lovely last year. Unfortunately, my attempts to photograph same were well up to the usual standard, but these may give some idea .... 💀

The Dolls House on The Hill, Harrow, Oct 2024. Nosferatu & friends occasionally abscond from window display to feast upon innocent victims.

Same shop, different angle, same dismal results, etc

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 18d

These are delightful. Were you responsible for the very lovely paintings on the London Overground/ Windrush Line at Shadwell and Whitechapel? I find it crushingly sad how so many of the pubs depicted have since vanished.

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 19d

I enjoyed the first one, not got the rest. Particularly enjoyed the 'HELP ME, SUSIE'S DYING' phone box urban legend, the fairies on the golf course, and the butchered monk.

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 19d

I use the Watney Market branch on a regular basis, have come to rely on it. The staff and security guard are lovely.
It's just a shame the ideastores have yet to migrate from tw*tt*r to bluesky.

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 19d

He's not wrong, is he?

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 20d

And yet, incredibly, it's still vaguely recognisable as the main bar. It's actually quite cheering to see it again.

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 21d

... or as it used to be known ....

Jack the Ripper, postcard issued to 'celebrate' the Ripper centenary in 1988. You could also buy a souvenir t-shirt and enjoy a "Ripper tipple."

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 21d

Love how Peter becomes demonically possessed by Rikki Nadir during proto-goth classic 'When She Comes'!

Haunted Bench Project @hauntedbench75.bsky.social · 25d

Burn it Down and Plan B personal faves.